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Europe's leading research organisations pledge to strengthen ERA

Seven of Europe's top research organisations have signed a statement of intent, along with the Commission, outlining their commitment to developing the European Research Area (ERA).

The seven organisations, which jointly constitute EIROforum, pledge, with the Commission, to explore synergies and conduct joint activities, facilitate exchanges and secondment of personnel, and build on this collaboration by concluding further bilateral agreements.

EU Research Commissioner, Philippe Busquin, along with the Directors-General of the EIROforum organisations, signed the statement of intent during a ceremony in Brussels on October.

'This statement of intent marks a new step towards the creation of the European Research Area,' said Mr Busquin. 'With Europe's best scientists working together in world class research infrastructures [...] EIROforum organisations, in collaboration with the European Commission, will play a decisive role in promoting the quality and consistency of European research.'

The seven EIROforum members are: the European organisation for nuclear research (CERN); the European fusion development agreement (EFDA); the European molecular biology laboratory (EMBL); the European space agency (ESA); the European southern observatory (ESO); the European synchrotron radiation facility (ESRF); and the Institut Laue-Langevin.

The goal of EIROforum is to play an active role in promoting the quality and impact of European research, and to act as the basis for effective, high level cooperation.

There are now more women than men in higher education worldwide. While it would appear to be a victory for gender equality, this imbalance also highlights boys’ educational underachievement. Ellie Bothwell reports